Our adventure will start by visiting the city of Uaxactún: It was considered the oldest Mayan city found until the discovery of Nakbé and El Mirador which are older. Uaxactún was founded in 1916 by Sylvanus Morley, an American archeologist noted for his contributions to the study of Mayan cities. It was in this Mayan city where the bases for the investigation of other Mayan centers were established.

This city holds the longest occupation period among Mayan cities: from the middle Preclassic, 900 b.C until 900 a.C.

Interestingly the city consists of eight architectural groups scattered over five natural elevations, surrounded by numerous residential complexes. The architectural groups are classified from A to H. The Complex "E" are constructions for astronomical observation. Because this is the first construction of its type found, other buildings for astronomical observation in other Mayan cities are called "Complex E".

We will continue walking through the jungle, learning more about Uaxactún, an awe-inspiring Mayan City.

You will learn a lot of fascinating facts about history and nature during this trip, like the original name of this kingdom. It was "Siaan Ka'an" which means "Born from Heaven". But after the first dated inscription was found saying "Uaxac-tún", that name was given to the city in modern times. "Uaxac" means "stone" and "Tun" means "Eight" = Uaxactún: Stone Eight.

After visiting Uaxactún, we will continue walking to El Zotz, our second Mayan Kingdom. We will make a stop to have lunch surrounded by the jungle and then, continue walking until getting to Santa Cruz where we will rest, enjoy a delicious dinner and get ready for the next day.

UAXACTUN ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will continue our journey to the archeological site of El Zotz. This archeological region is called "El Zotz" since it means "Bat" in many Mayan languages, and it happens that when the sun is setting and the night is beginning, thousands of bats get out from the nearby caves to the jungle looking for fruits to eat. This phenomenon has existed for many centuries. The Mayans who lived here named one of their cities "Zotz" because of that phenomenon. The name Zotz can be seen in one of the emblem glyphs.

We will walk for a few hours and will make stops every now and then to rest and appreciate the jungle.

During your visit, learn about the animals, plants, and the different pyramids, palaces, plazas, and one ball court. The tallest construction here is called "El Diablo" with 45 m high (148 ft) where at the top you can see the jungle and some structures from Tikal. This construction is called "El Diablo" or The Devil in English because an ancient Mayan mask was found here and resembles the shape of a Devil.

We will be walking for a few hours here. Lunch will be served by the locals who offer traditional Guatemalan dishes made with organic ingredients produced in the nearby farms. At the end of the day, rest in our camping area, have dinner, hear the noises of the jungle, appreciate the stars and recover some energies for day #3.

EL ZOTZ

This day will start by taking a tasteful breakfast at our camping site in El Zotz. We will continue walking for a couple of hours to get to El Yesal, a camping area located midway prior to getting to Tikal the next day.

EL ZOTZ

We will enjoy a country-style lunch and a dinner under the stars. Relax, enjoy some free time and get ready for the last day of the tour!

TIKAL NATIONAL PARK

On the last day, we will start taking a delicious breakfast and getting ready for the day. Tikal will be waiting for us, with its monumental constructions, pyramids, and acropolis. We will walk for a few hours until getting there. Admire the monkeys and other wild animals that live here.

Tikal was declared natural and cultural world heritage in 1979 by UNESCO. It reached its peak during the Classic Period between 200 and 900 a.C. During this period, Tikal dominated most part of the Mayan region in Peten and had a close political relationship with Teotihuacan in the distant valley of Mexico. It is believed that the city could have reached an incredible amount of 100,000 inhabitants. The kings were the ones living and governing from the pyramids and palaces, the other people were the ones living in the small cities, like suburbs nowadays. That´s why it is believed that there exist around 200 small housing areas around Tikal.

While we are in Tikal, get amazed by all the history behind the giant constructions. Enjoy every moment of it and feel like if you go back in time 2,000 years.

The last part of our tour will be to take you back to your hotel in Flores. This is the perfect way to end a wonderful experience in the jungle of Peten.